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newsroom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 10, 2008 |
Contact:
Christine Real de Azua (202) 383-2508
Shawna Seldon (212) 255-8455 |
AMERICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON ADDITION OF CANTWELL-ENSIGN AMENDMENT TO SENATE HOUSING STIMULUS BILL
Following the 88 to 8 vote in the U.S. Senate on the addition of the Cantwell-Ensign amendment, which provides a one year extension of the renewable energy Production Tax Credit (PTC), to the Housing Stimulus Bill, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) released the following statement by Senior Director of Governmental & Public Affairs Gregory Wetstone:
“Today’s 88 to 8 Senate floor vote on the Clean Energy Stimulus Act is a testament to the strong support for renewable energy across the political spectrum. The American Wind Energy Association, on behalf of our more than 1200 member companies, commends the Senate for moving to extend renewable energy tax incentives. We are especially grateful to Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John Ensign (R-NV) and the many bipartisan cosponsors of this legislation who worked to move this bill forward. With 116,000 jobs and $19 billion in clean energy investment at risk from the looming expiration of renewable energy tax credits, the Senate has recognized the urgency of taking timely action to extend these incentives.
“We look forward now to working with our many friends in the U.S. House of Representatives to move this bill forward, spurring economic growth and creating jobs even as we move the reduce global warming pollution. Extension of the renewable energy tax incentives would be welcome news to the millions of Americans across the political spectrum who overwhelmingly support clean, home-grown wind and solar energy. Every day of delay tolls a greater risk on investments in new clean energy projects and manufacturing facilities.”
The Production Tax Credit (PTC) provides an incentive of two cents per kilowatt hour to facilities that produce electricity from renewable energy resources, including wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower. The credit can be claimed for 10 years, beginning on the date the qualified facility is placed in service. The facility must begin operation before the credit expires. The credit currently expires on December 31, 2008.
AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry.
The association's membership includes turbine manufacturers, wind project developers, utilities, academicians, and interested individuals. More information on wind energy is available at the AWEA web site: www.awea.org.
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